PREMIERS AT HOME.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1921, Page 1

PREMIERS AT HOME.

ADJiIiTISING AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN AND N,Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, LONDON, August 20. Mr Hughes addressed about 100 bank ors and other prominent financiers at Australia House. In the course of an hour’s speech he eulogised Australia as one of the most attractive countries in the world for investment and emigration. He described the iMildurn as veritable paradise without angels. The flaming sword of revolution was impossible in Australia because wealth there was more evenly distributed than anywhere else. Mr Massey was also entertained at lunch by Messrs Vickers and inspected the works. Speaking at luncheon, he said, it was necessary to strengthen the bonds of Empire. New Zealanders had not failed in this direction in the past and would not fail in future. He hoped Britain’s industrial supreI ir.ney, would soon be restored, but he could see lots of competition coming along. The Empire must put in lots of energy. As regards Imperial preference Britain was receiving Dominion goods with out charging a penny whereas other countries blocked us by Customs duties. He trusted that Britain was not going to open her doors to those who closed theirs against her in order that they might flood Britain with dumped goods. Later Air Massey visited York and then went to Darlington. AN IMPERIALISTIC SURVEY. LONDON, Aug. 20. Mr Massey was presented with the freedom of Sheffield. After the ceremony in the Council Chamber at which the Txird Mayor presided, Mr Massey emphasised the value of Imperial Conference. and said that Lloyd George and his colleagues had done everything possible to meet the Dominion wishes. There was nothing about which we were united and could reasonably ask for. which was not granted. Justifying the continuance of the Ariglo-.Tapanese Treaty ho said that Japan was net compelled to assist us. hut came to our aid during the war. especially in the Pacific. It would not he in -tlio British character to turn our hacks upon those who were Iowa! in our greatest danger. He would like to see n triplicate arrangement between Britain and the United Slates and Japan as ho believed it would be for the good of Ihc world. Tie regretted that the idea of consultation preliminary lo the Washington conference regarding the Pacific had been turned down. AUSTRALIAN FINANCE LONDON. August 20. The “Financial Times” states Mr Hughes has sent fan invitation to hankers and financier* to meet him, to discuss the question of Australian finance. Tt says this seems to indicate Air Hughes, knowing the strong opinions enlcriained in London regarding particular aspects of Australian financial policy, had resolved to tackle and remove nil un pleasant impressions. Any expectation of tin's kind was disappointed. No one could have guessed from the proceedings at the meeting at Australia House that British investors had complained. To lake only one instance, that of the companies, whose one desire was to sell land and who had been subjected to penal taxation, as though land, from settlement, Air Hughes’s address was an unconscious revelation of the psychology of Australian statesmen regarding finance. After cataloguing the Australian flocks, and herds and Australia’s boundless whontfields. and vast mineral resources, and after showing that for all borrowing there are tangible assets, which are ever multiplying. M r Hughes believed he had exhausted the question nf Australian finance as if affects past lenders, and also perhaps prospective lenders in Britain. MR MASSEY. LONDON. August 20. Tim N.Z Premier, Rt. Hon W. F. Massey, at Darlinghton, in accepting the freedom of the city, declared flint the immigration laws of New Zealand were the most drastic in the Empire, because tliev did not allow people to come from any country except Britain, without obtaining the permission of the New Zealand Government. The effect would he that in the years to come, the people of New Zealand would he more of British stock than any colony in the Empire. New Zealand was passionate in a demand for unity of the Empire, and looked upon themselves ns British citizens from now to tho day of judgment. The Empire must iealouslv guard itself.